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UK and US 'keenest on fast food' | UK and US 'keenest on fast food' |
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The UK is the country most attached to fast food, closely followed by the United States, a survey has suggested. | The UK is the country most attached to fast food, closely followed by the United States, a survey has suggested. |
A poll of 9,000 people in 13 nations, alongside a BBC investigation into global obesity, found vast variations in attitudes towards food and weight. | A poll of 9,000 people in 13 nations, alongside a BBC investigation into global obesity, found vast variations in attitudes towards food and weight. |
Many French get on the scales every day the poll found, while Singaporeans are the least likely to weigh themselves. | Many French get on the scales every day the poll found, while Singaporeans are the least likely to weigh themselves. |
People are now said to be getting fatter in most of the world, with the exception of parts of Asia. | People are now said to be getting fatter in most of the world, with the exception of parts of Asia. |
The three-day BBC series will look at the problems arising from the trend and what can be done about it. | The three-day BBC series will look at the problems arising from the trend and what can be done about it. |
This study, by market research firm Synovate, questioned 9,000 people in 13 countries across five continents. | This study, by market research firm Synovate, questioned 9,000 people in 13 countries across five continents. |
OBESITY: WHAT PEOPLE BLAME Food - 40%Lack of exercise - 18%Individual - 13%Genetics - 11% | OBESITY: WHAT PEOPLE BLAME Food - 40%Lack of exercise - 18%Individual - 13%Genetics - 11% |
Few people blamed their government for rising levels of obesity: the largest number of respondents blamed the food that was now available. | Few people blamed their government for rising levels of obesity: the largest number of respondents blamed the food that was now available. |
People in the UK and the US were the most likely to nominate "no self discipline" as the leading factor in obesity. | People in the UK and the US were the most likely to nominate "no self discipline" as the leading factor in obesity. |
These two nations also had the most respondents who said they would be unable to give up fast food. | These two nations also had the most respondents who said they would be unable to give up fast food. |
Some 45% in the UK agreed with the statement "I like the taste of fast food too much to give it up", while 44% of Americans said they would be unable to give up their burgers, pizzas and chicken wings. | Some 45% in the UK agreed with the statement "I like the taste of fast food too much to give it up", while 44% of Americans said they would be unable to give up their burgers, pizzas and chicken wings. |
Middle east diets | Middle east diets |
The survey also threw up some other interesting geographical variations. | The survey also threw up some other interesting geographical variations. |
The results show there's a world of people who cannot deny themselves that hamburger or extra piece of pizza, but probably make themselves feel better by washing it down with a diet cola Steve GartonSynovate Send us your comments | The results show there's a world of people who cannot deny themselves that hamburger or extra piece of pizza, but probably make themselves feel better by washing it down with a diet cola Steve GartonSynovate Send us your comments |
Saudi Arabians and those from the United Arab Emirates were among the top consumers of low-fat food products, meal replacements and food supplements. | Saudi Arabians and those from the United Arab Emirates were among the top consumers of low-fat food products, meal replacements and food supplements. |
They were also the most interested in weight-loss courses, gym memberships and home exercise equipment. | They were also the most interested in weight-loss courses, gym memberships and home exercise equipment. |
"People are inherently contradictory and nowhere is it more obvious than on such a sensitive and important issue such as their weight," said Steve Garton of Synovate. | "People are inherently contradictory and nowhere is it more obvious than on such a sensitive and important issue such as their weight," said Steve Garton of Synovate. |
"The results show there's a world of people who cannot deny themselves that hamburger or extra piece of pizza, but probably make themselves feel better by washing it down with a diet cola." | "The results show there's a world of people who cannot deny themselves that hamburger or extra piece of pizza, but probably make themselves feel better by washing it down with a diet cola." |
A recent study of men and women in 63 countries found between half and two-thirds of men were overweight or obese in 2006. | A recent study of men and women in 63 countries found between half and two-thirds of men were overweight or obese in 2006. |
168,000 people were evaluated by a doctor on a single day. The US was not included in the report. A BMI over 25 is deemed overweight and greater than 30 is obese. | 168,000 people were evaluated by a doctor on a single day. The US was not included in the report. A BMI over 25 is deemed overweight and greater than 30 is obese. |
The populations of Canada and South Africa currently lead the way, with an average Body Mass Index (BMI) of 29 - a calculation that takes into account both height and weight. | The populations of Canada and South Africa currently lead the way, with an average Body Mass Index (BMI) of 29 - a calculation that takes into account both height and weight. |
Graph showing obesity rates for women | Graph showing obesity rates for women |
There is still some debate about the exact health risk posed by rising levels of obesity, but those who are overweight do have a higher risk of heart disease, Type II diabetes and other diseases including some cancers. | There is still some debate about the exact health risk posed by rising levels of obesity, but those who are overweight do have a higher risk of heart disease, Type II diabetes and other diseases including some cancers. |
It is thought that an increasingly sedentary lifestyle is a major factor in rising obesity rates. | It is thought that an increasingly sedentary lifestyle is a major factor in rising obesity rates. |
Health analysts warn that obesity-related illness threatens to overwhelm healthcare systems around the world. | Health analysts warn that obesity-related illness threatens to overwhelm healthcare systems around the world. |
Neville Rigby, of the International Obesity Task Force, said: "It is serious for individuals, but it is also serious for countries. | Neville Rigby, of the International Obesity Task Force, said: "It is serious for individuals, but it is also serious for countries. |
"Reports from the World Health Organization have shown that preventing chronic disease can have major economic benefits, and failing to do so can have major economic disadvantages." | "Reports from the World Health Organization have shown that preventing chronic disease can have major economic benefits, and failing to do so can have major economic disadvantages." |
Douglas Smallwood, Chief Executive at leading health charity Diabetes UK, said: ?This survey is a sad indictment of current eating habits in the UK." | |
168,000 people were evaluated by a doctor on a single day. The US was not included in the report. A BMI over 25 is deemed overweight and greater than 30 is obese. | 168,000 people were evaluated by a doctor on a single day. The US was not included in the report. A BMI over 25 is deemed overweight and greater than 30 is obese. |
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